Their jurisdictions, in general, extend to all places within the same
allegiance, which are nearer to them than to the residence of any other
Consul or Vice-Consul. As yet, only their commissions have been made
out. General instructions await the passage of a bill now depending.
Mr. La Forest, at this place, remarked our appointment of Consuls in
the French islands. In the first project of a convention proposed on
the part of France, the expressions reached expressly to the kingdom of
France only. I objected to this in writing, as being narrower than the
twenty-ninth article of the treaty of amity, which was the basis of the
consular convention, and which had granted the appointment of Consuls
and Vice-Consuls, in their respective 'States and ports,' generally, and
without restriction. On this, the word 'France' was struck out, and the
'dominions of the M. C. K.' inserted every where. See the fifth, ninth,
twelfth, thirteenth, and fifteenth articles particularly, of the copy of
the draughts of 1784 and 1788, as I had them printed side by side. The
object of this alteration was, the appointment of Consuls in the free
ports allowed us in the French West Indies, where our commerce has
greater need of protection than any where. I mention these things, that
you may be prepared, should any thing be said to you on the subject.
I am persuaded the appointment will contribute eminently to the
preservation of harmony between us. These Consuls will be able to
prevent the misunderstandings which arise frequently now between the
officers there and our traders, and which are doubtless much exaggerated
and misrepresented to us by the latter.

I duly received the copy you were so kind as to send me of the Bishop of
Autun's proposition, on the subject of weights and measures. It happened
to arrive in the moment I was about giving in to Congress a report on
the same subject, which they had referred to me. In consequence of
the Bishop of Autun's proposition, I made an alteration in my report,